ROYAL ORDNANCE FACTORY CLOSURES

That this House expresses its grave concern at the proposal by BAe Systems to close down a number of Royal Ordnance Factory sites including Birtley, Bishopton, Blackburn, Nottingham, ROSM and to dispose of Chorley and Summerfield, resulting in the transfer out of the United Kingdom of a significant part of our ammunition manufacturing capability; recalls the failure of Belgium to supply artillery ammunition which had previously been manufactured at ROF Birtley during the Falklands campaign; deplores the effect that these closures will have on Britain's defence manufacturing capability; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to carry out an immediate review of the effect these closures will have on the United Kingdom's ability to conduct all of her defence tasks and commitments.